The week-long rumblings in the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference came to an end today after a group of disgruntled MLAs met party head Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
He was the first to raise the banner of revolt against the recent state cabinet reshuffle. Besides the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani as the adviser to the chief minister, the MLAs had demanded that Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhry be divested of the public works department portfolio immediately. Demanding the removal of Wani as adviser to the chief minister, the dissenters have accused the adviser for the “growing disconnect between the party leadership, elected representatives and the government. “We are not rebels… Everyone in the meeting wanted the party to remain united.
At least 18 of the 41 National Conference MLAs had demanded sweeping reforms in government and organisational functioning, accountability and the removal of the chief minister’s key aide.
“I would prefer to die rather than leave the National Conference,” MLA Abdul Majid Larmi said. Mubarak Gul, a seven-time MLA from Srinagar who was also up in arms against the party leadership following the cabinet reshuffle, said he stands with the party leadership. They accused Chowdhry of alleged “misconduct and corruption” and called for an independent and impartial examination of the allegations. The disgruntled MLAs expressed concern over “growing disconnect between expectations of people and functioning of the government” and flagged alleged misgovernance, lack of accountability and lack of consultation with the elected representatives. Since last week, the group has held four meetings and announced to fight for the “reforms” in the National Conference and seek accountability on governance. We are only asking for accountability and not allowing the party and the government to be treated as a fiefdom of some individuals,” said a senior leader.
